
FEBRUARY 2025 ARTIST OF THE MONTH
Jo Anne Myers-Ciecko
When first approached about being February’s Artist of the Month, Jo Anne Myers-Ciecko was reluctant to put herself out there and, according to her, “I really don't consider myself even close to the level of wonderful artists we have on the island!” My reply? Poppycock! I also pointed out there are a lot of people out there who feel the same way about themselves but may be inspired to stretch their talents after reading about her. Art isn’t always about creating gallery-worthy showpieces – it’s about fueling the soul and expressing our creative visions. Jo Anne does just that. She works in clay and, like many other locals who play with clay, their inspiration began with Sue Roberts. JoAnne shared that “It wasn't anything I ever thought about doing but thanks to Sue, I found a home in her studio where I enjoy creating all sorts of things from clay – practical, whimsical, realistic, fanciful. I just love the process and letting my hands tell me what to do. And it helps that there is always a wonderful group of other artists (seasoned and newbies) in the studio who inspire me.” Jo Anne also finds inspiration in nature, texture, patterns, and color which is clearly evident in her pieces.
She and her husband lived in Seattle for 32 years and she loved raising her kids in a multiethnic, multiracial neighborhood. In 2006, Jim took a job building an addition to Island Hospital and they decided it was time to move to the country. She enjoyed living by the Skagit River with views of Fox Island and the crop lands -- it reminded her of growing up in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. But the ever-increasing volume of air traffic at the navy base drove them to find a new home in 2018. The combination of being retired and having family and life-long friends living on Guemes made the decision to have Guemes Island be their next stop an easy one.
In her professional career, JoAnne spent 40 years as an advocate, teacher, and consultant in the midwifery world. She shared “My longest stint was 20+ years as the Executive Director of the Seattle Midwifery School and I'm proud to say that our school prepared hundreds of midwives and doulas who now work with families across the country and beyond!” She never had the desire to be a midwife herself but as a home birth mom in the 70s, she knew that midwifery care could be an empowering, even life-changing, alternative for strengthening families and building healthier communities. Her advocacy work gave her opportunities to travel the country and speak up everywhere from Olympia to Washington, DC.
Her creativity also extends to the musical world. In her 30s, she learned to play marimbas and was part of a band for more than ten years. “We played all over Washington State and even got to perform in Siberia in 1999, just as the USSR was crumbling. I love travelling and have been to 49 states and more than 30 countries.” Learning more about the world, about people, and how things work keeps JoAnne looking for new opportunities. In addition to traveling, she likes creating and sharing meals, arranging flowers, and visiting with friends. She and her husband celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2024. They enjoy spending time with their three kids, their
partners, and their four grandkids. “Watching the little ones growing up might just be the best thing ever!”
Jo Anne considers herself an amateur artist who’s in it for the fun of creating and expressing herself. Her work isn’t for sale…yet. Her friends and family’s shelves are close to full, and she may just need to join the Artist Studio Tour in June.
Fabulous!!